MINUTES
Snow Hill Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting
Wednesday August 27, 2008—9:00 a.m.
Snow Hill Town Hall
201 North Greene Street, North Carolina 28580

The Snow Hill Board of Commissioners regular meeting convened at 9:07 a.m. on Wednesday, August 27, 2008, at the Snow Hill Town Hall with the following members present: Mayor Pro-Tem Lorrine Washington; Commissioners James Bizzell, Percy Edwards, Dennis Liles, and Geraldine Shackleford, Acting Town Clerk Michelle Strickland; Town Administrator Bob Clark and Attorney Brian Pridgen.

Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Mayor Pro-Tem Lorrine Washington at 9:07 a.m.

Prayer - Commissioner Edwards offered prayer.

Pledge of Allegiance – Mayor Pro-Tem Washington led the Pledge.

Roll Call – Mayor Pro-Tem Washington called roll. Commissioner Liles has communicated that he is running a little late. Mayor Davis is out of town, by consent his absence was excused. A quorum was declared.

Commissioner Liles joined the meeting at 9:11 a.m. for voting.

Consider Approving Meeting Agenda – Mr. Clark asked the Board to amend the agenda to include other items. Mayor Pro-Tem Washington asked that the Board move closed session item 10c to item 8a. Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with adding items number 7a1 as Disposal of real property in Jordan Heights, item 7a2 as Introduce Resolution Concerning Green Challenge, item 7a3 as Hookerton Animal Control Update and move item 10c to item 8a.

Consider Approving Meeting Minutes: August 11, 2008 – Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Bizzell and carried unanimously to approve the minutes as written.

Report of Officers:

Town Administrator:

1. Disposal of real property in Jordon Heights – Mr. Clark spoke to the Board about lots 5,7,9 and 10 in Jordan Heights. He indicated that Mr. and Mrs. Croxton Williams were interested in purchasing the property so they may build and home on the site. Mr. Clark recommends selling the property through the sealed bid process.

2. Introduce Resolution Concerning Green Challenge – Mr. Clark introduced a resolution supporting the North Carolina League of Municipalities (NCLM) Green Challenge (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes). Mr. Clark recommends adopting the resolution. Mr. Clark asked for the Board’s authorization to complete a survey on the Green Challenge to be turned in by the end of this week.

3. Hookerton Animal Control Report – Mr. Clark informed the Board that he, Dana Hill, and Kathy Pazzaglia had attended a meeting this week at the invitation of the Hookerton Board of Commissioners. Hookerton is interested in receiving some animal control assistance from Snow Hill. Mr. Clark stated that such an arrangement should be workable for both communities to explore. No action is requested at this time. Mr. Clark will draft a proposal for an agreement later consideration.

This report was received by consent.

Public Works Director & Animal Control Officer: Animal shelter upgrades and grant application – Mr. Hill told the Board that Ms. Pazzaglia has been doing a great job and he was going to let her tell the Board what has been going on. Ms. Pazzaglia informed the Board that Joe Bloomquist with the state did an inspection at the shelter on August 14, 2008. Out of 31 items that are checked there were violations on 8. Even though there were violations they were not very big and the shelter is in compliance. While here Mr. Bloomquist provided Ms. Pazzaglia with a grant application. The grant has been awarded to the Town of Snow Hill in the amount of $2500.00. Ms. Pazzaglia hopes that by the end of October the shelter will be up and running . The shelter has received several donations from residents as well as businesses.

This report was received by consent.

Sheriff: Law enforcement activities update – Sheriff Smith came before the Board and reported the following recent law enforcement activities in Snow Hill.

July 2, 2008 – Drug arrests at 206 W Greene Street

August 7, 2008 – Drug arrests at 408 Harper Street

August 15, 2008 – Stolen metal at LCC. There are suspects, but no arrest yet.

August 24, 2008 – Breaking & entering on Connie Circle

August 6, 2008 – Robbery at 728 SE Third Street – There are suspects but no arrests yet.

August 18, 2008 – Report of break-ins at Cheryl Carraway, DDS and Dr. Rob McArthur’s offices as well as at Robert Heath Insurance. There has been no arrest yet.

Sheriff Smith spoke to the Board about other things that were going on in Town such as getting his department ready for the Sweet Potato Festival. Smith also informed the Board that the jail was over capacity at this time.

Commissioner Liles commented to Sheriff Smith that he appreciated the work that he did and that he was doing a great job. He asked Sheriff Smith if these reports could be given each quarter. The Board spoke to Sheriff Smith about speeding problem areas in Snow Hill.

This report was received by consent.

Finance Officer:

Statement of Revenues & Expenditures for period ending July 31, 2008 – Mr. Clark informed the board that Mrs. Watson was in a class so that he would give her report. He spoke to the Board about the financial statements (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes) that were included in their agenda packets. He explained that these were for their review and if they had any questions to please ask himself or Mrs. Watson upon her return from class.

Change Purchase Order minimum – Mr. Clark asked the Board to look over (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes) Mrs. Watson’s request to have the minimum on purchase orders increased. Mr. Clark recommends changing the purchase order maximum to $750.00. He asked the Board to consider this for their next meeting.

This report was received by consent.

Report of the Boards, Commissions, Committees and/or Taskforces:

By consent the agenda was amended to move item 10c to item 8a.

a. Consider a closed session to pursuant to NCGS 143-318.11 (3,5) – Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to enter into closed session at 9:56 a.m.

Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to reconvene in open session at 10:11 a.m.

Unfinished Business and General Orders:

1. Consider approval of Resolution affirming water and sewer rates to the Rural Center for the Alternative Water Project

1. Consider a Capital Budget Ordinance for the Rural Center Grant for Alternative Water Supply- Phase 1C in the amount of $500,000.

1. Consider an Inter-local agreement with Greene County for coordination of $500,000.00 Water System Improvements Grant– Alternative Water Supply Project

Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to table items 9a – 9c.

New Business:

Authorize advertisement of real property for sale via sealed bids pursuant to G.S. 160A-268 lots 5, 7, 9, and 10 Block A, “Jordon Heights” – Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Shackleford and carried unanimously to authorize advertisement of real property for sale via sealed bids pursuant to G.S. 160A-268 lots 5,7,9, and 10 Block A, “Jordan Heights”.

Administer Oath of Office to Kathy Pazzaglia, Animal Control Officer – Mayor Pro-Tem Washington administered the Oath of Office of Animal Control Officer to Kathy Pazzaglia (a copy hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of these minutes).

Consider Resolution of Green Challenge – Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to approve the Green Challenge Resolution as well as to authorize Mr. Clark to send in a survey related to the Green Challenge by the end of this week.

Program: none

Announcements and Public Comments

Adjournment – Motion was made by Commissioner Edwards, seconded by Commissioner Liles and carried unanimously to adjourn at 10:18 a.m.

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Lorrine Washington, Mayor Pro-Tem

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Michelle Strickland, Interim Town Clerk